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Franciscan Ministries Introduces “Hope Rises” at Mercy Creek

As the world begins to recover from the pandemic and we reopen our senior living communities to visitors, we want to share with you our Hope Rises initiative.

Hope Rises shares inspirational stories from Franciscan Communities’ employees, residents and family members in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since the initial outbreak of the COVID-19 virus, the country seems to be held hostage by fear, confusion and uncertainty. Combine that with the contradicting opinions between the government and healthcare officials, quarantine restrictions, and reports of uncertainty from the general population, and you have what has become a perfect storm.

Franciscan Ministries sponsored by the Franciscan Sisters of Chicago, has developed an initiative, inspired by our philosophy of Living Joyfully, called “Hope Rises”. Hope Rises will chronicle the quiet, untold stories of the healthcare workers and residents from our senior living communities. As stated by Judy Amiano, President and Chief Executive Officer “The purpose of Hope Rises will help bring awareness to the positive and inspirational stories from our senior living communities. It’s meant to celebrate the resilience and spirit of the human condition, where kindness, good works and compassion are what truly matters to overcome any obstacle.”

Check back later for updates! For more information about Franciscan Ministries, call +1-331-318-5200.

Visit Franciscan Ministries Hope Rises for all of the Ministries stories.


June 2020

With the onset of COVID, Mercy Creek closed its doors to visitors and Illinois Westland University sent its students home. Faced with delivering meals to almost everyone three times a day, the new chef got creative and reached out for help. Illinois Wesleyan University wanted to help senior communities and has lent Mercy Creek a hot meal cart that has been heaven sent. They are able to deliver hot meals three times a day with much more ease. The Normal community has banded together, sending messages of joy and encouragement to each other.

Sugar Creek Alzheimer’s is spreading joy by planting pink flamingos at Mercy Creek.

flamingos

Mercy Creek has been delivering over 100 meals a day made by the Executive Chef, 6 days per week to home bound seniors living in the community over the last 60 days. This is Jerry Ruhrup and with Charlie the dog. And home-made pizzas, salads and cookies to celebrate first responders at work.

Patrick Sweeney Charlie First Responders

Aggie and Gay from Synergy home care were awarded 130 individually wrapped caregiver gifts. As of June 17, the team was able to give out all the gifts to their caregivers.  They have been impacted by Covid and their staff had depleted but as we come out of Covid, their business is surviving and they are starting to serve more in the area.

goody bags caregivers caregivers

60 days into the COVID shut down, everyone’s feeling a little hemmed in and wanting to get outside. So Mercy Creek hosted a Drive-Through Parade and invited emergency services and families to join in. Over 50 cars and families drove through, waving, shouting and leaving packages for their parents and grandparents. After the parade finished, everyone was so happy to be outside, they just continued to visit.

Drive-Through Parade Drive-Through Parade Drive-Through Parade Drive-Through Parade
Drive-Through Parade Drive-Through Parade Drive-Through Parade Drive-Through Parade

Nurses Week saw 2 nurses celebrating with 2 residents who were nurses, Betty Gore and Rosemary

Betty Gore Betty Gore Rosemary Rosemary

When Betty Morris turned 96 and her family surprised her with her own drive-by parade.

Betty Morris Betty Morris Betty Morris Betty Morris